02-01-2009, 08:23 PM
Hi Jesper!
Indeed ,That swords are nor "Fronton" type. This is a Fronton type, named that way because the form of its hilt.
![[Image: espasa2copia-1.jpg]](http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/ibercalafell/guerrers%20ibers/espasa2copia-1.jpg)
The swords of the drawings are generally denominated "Atrophied Antennas" type.
The first one is a Quesada VI type (traditionally named “Arcóbriga type”). The swords of this type are usually so decorated with damascene silver and copper. They’re dated from 4th cent to 2nd cent. BC.
The type VI swords have an average lenght of blade of 34’4 cm. (max. 48 cm, min. 22’5 cm.). The internal lenght of the hilt sizes 7’4 cm. (max. 8’4 cm, min. 6’6 cm.). The average width of the blade is 4’4 cm. (max. 5’4, min. 3’6 cm.)
The second one is also an “Atrophied Antennas” type from La Osera (Avila). This is a Quesada IV type (traditionally named “Alcacer do Sal”), dated to 4th cent. to 3rd cent BC.
As you said, the “Atance” swords (Quesada’s type V), are atrophied antennas sword too. I don’t know which photo you mentioned, but the “Atance” type sword has a average lenght (the complete sword) of 40’6 cm (max. 58, min. 31’5 cm.).
Probably, none of these swords is really linked with “Gladius Hispaniensis” type. According to Prof. Fernando Quesada’s thesis, the “Gladius Hispaniensis” swords come from celtiberian local variants of La Tene I swords, like the Quintanas de Gormaz (Soria) or La Osera swords. As you said correctly, all these swords have organic hilts, but also organic case, not metallic like the original La Tene models.
You can find all the information you can imagine about the iberian and celtiberian weapons here:
http://www.ffil.uam.es/equus/warmas/index.htm
Indeed ,That swords are nor "Fronton" type. This is a Fronton type, named that way because the form of its hilt.
The swords of the drawings are generally denominated "Atrophied Antennas" type.
The first one is a Quesada VI type (traditionally named “Arcóbriga type”). The swords of this type are usually so decorated with damascene silver and copper. They’re dated from 4th cent to 2nd cent. BC.
The type VI swords have an average lenght of blade of 34’4 cm. (max. 48 cm, min. 22’5 cm.). The internal lenght of the hilt sizes 7’4 cm. (max. 8’4 cm, min. 6’6 cm.). The average width of the blade is 4’4 cm. (max. 5’4, min. 3’6 cm.)
The second one is also an “Atrophied Antennas” type from La Osera (Avila). This is a Quesada IV type (traditionally named “Alcacer do Sal”), dated to 4th cent. to 3rd cent BC.
As you said, the “Atance” swords (Quesada’s type V), are atrophied antennas sword too. I don’t know which photo you mentioned, but the “Atance” type sword has a average lenght (the complete sword) of 40’6 cm (max. 58, min. 31’5 cm.).
Probably, none of these swords is really linked with “Gladius Hispaniensis” type. According to Prof. Fernando Quesada’s thesis, the “Gladius Hispaniensis” swords come from celtiberian local variants of La Tene I swords, like the Quintanas de Gormaz (Soria) or La Osera swords. As you said correctly, all these swords have organic hilts, but also organic case, not metallic like the original La Tene models.
You can find all the information you can imagine about the iberian and celtiberian weapons here:
http://www.ffil.uam.es/equus/warmas/index.htm
